Manipur Forest Minister intercepts truck carrying illegal logs

A high level team of officials from the Manipur Forest department led by Manipur Forest and Environment Minister Thaounaojam Shyamkumar on Tuesday seized a truck loaded with illegal logs along the Sejol-Vaukom road near Tuilienjang village.

The seizure was done during an inspection trip in the forest areas of Churachandpur district bordering Myanmar and Mizoram.

The truck was later handed over to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Southern Forest Division, Churachandpur for further investigation.

Forest Minister Shyamkumar was inspecting the forest areas located under Henglep sub-division of the district.

The Minister was accompanied by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, K Angami of the State Forest department along with other senior forest officials of the Divisional Forest Office, Southern Forest Division, Churachandpur.

The Minister who hails from Andro constituency in Imphal East district, also dismantled several bird nets used for trapping in the area by the villagers.

He appealed to the villagers not to harm birds which are also an important constituent of the ecosystem.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inspection visit at Mualdak village, 50 kms away from the Churachandpur district headquarters, Shyamkumar said the people of the area must protect the forest to save the environment.

He said people are still practising Jhum cultivation which is depleting the forest cover. He urged the people of the area to discontinue Jhum or shifting cultivation and follow guidelines of the State.

Stating that the area is filled with natural beauty and filled with forest products, the Minister warned that those found indulging in destroying the forest will be booked by the Department under the Forest Act.

He also appealed to those who earn their livelihood from the forest products to seek prior clearance from the Department/Joint Force Management before cutting and felling of the trees.

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